Non-cavernomatous superior mesenteric thrombosis successfully recanalized with interventional radiological procedures carried out with a combination transmesenteric and transjugular approaches.

This is the study of a 52-year-old man with oesophageal, rectal and anal varices caused by portal hypertension with complete obstruction of the superior mesenteric vein. Treatment by two sessions of interventional radiological procedures was successful. The first was a catheter-directed thrombolysis using the transmesenteric approach. The second was percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent implantation for the obstructed segment of the superior mesenteric vein and the creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. In the second session, devices were advanced over a guidewire inserted from the right jugular vein and pulled out of the ileocolic vein using the pull-through technique.

Facial emphysema caused by cheek bite.

Biting of the buccal mucosa is very frequent injury, whereas facial emphysema caused by cheek bite is rare. We report a case of facial emphysema causing puffing of the cheek through a self-inflicted bite of the buccal mucosa.

Metallic behavior and periodical valence ordering in a MMX chain compound, Pt(2)(EtCS(2))(4)I.

A new one-dimensional (1-D) halogen-bridged mixed-valence diplatinum(II,III) compound, Pt(2)(EtCS(2))(4)I (3), has been successfully synthesized from [Pt(2)(EtCS(2))(4)] (1) and [Pt(2)(EtCS(2))(4)I(2)] (2). These three compounds have been examined using UV-visible-near-IR, IR, polarized Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray crystal structure analyses (except for 1). Compound 3 was further characterized through electrical transport measurements, determination of the temperature dependence of lattice parameters, X-ray diffuse scattering, and SQUID magnetometry. 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c and exhibits a crystal structure consisting of neutral 1-D chains with a repeating -Pt-Pt-I- unit lying on the crystallographic 2-fold axis parallel to the b axis. The Pt-Pt distance at 293 K is 2.684 (1) A in the dinuclear unit, while the Pt-I distances are essentially equal (2.982 (1) and 2.978 (1) A). 3 shows relatively high electrical conductivity (5-30 S cm(-1)) at room temperature and undergoes a metal-semiconductor transition at T(M-S) = 205 K. The XPS spectrum in the metallic state reveals a Pt(2+) and Pt(3+) mixed-valence state on the time scale of XPS spectroscopy ( approximately 10(-17) s). In accordance with the metal-semiconductor transition, anomalies are observed in the temperature dependence of the crystal structure, lattice parameters, X-ray diffuse scattering, and polarized Raman spectra near T(M-S). In variable-temperature crystal structure analyses, a sudden and drastic increase in the Pt-I distance near the transition temperature is observed. Furthermore, a steep increase in U(22) of iodine atoms in the 1-D chain direction has been observed. The lattice parameters exhibit significant temperature dependence with drastic change in slope at about 205-240 K. This was especially evident in the unit cell parameter b (1-D chain direction) as it was found to lengthen rapidly with increasing temperature. X-ray diffraction photographs taken utilizing the fixed-film and fixed-crystal method for the metallic state revealed the presence of diffuse scattering with line shapes parallel to the a* axis indexed as (-, n + 0.5, l) (n; integer). Diffuse scattering with k = n + 0.5 is considered to originate from the 2-fold periodical ordering corresponding to -Pt(2+)-Pt(2+)-I-Pt(3+)-Pt(3+)-I- or -Pt(2+)-Pt(3+)-I-Pt(3+)-Pt(2+)-I- in an extremely short time scale. Diffuse lines corresponding to 2-D ordering progressively decrease in intensity below 252 K and are converted to the diffuse planes corresponding to 1-D ordering near T(M-S). Furthermore, diffuse planes condensed into superlattice reflections below T(M-S). Polarized Raman spectra show temperature dependence through a drastic low-energy shift of the Pt-I stretching mode and also through broadening of bands above T(M-S).

Enlarged focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver under the influence of oral contraceptives.

Two cases of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in mature women treated with the oral contraceptive are described. Radiological investigations in one case revealed the typical findings of focal nodular hyperplasia with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating central scar structures while spoke-wheel appearance was evident on arteriography, in the other case however findings were atypical. Routine investigations including liver function tests and alpha-fetoprotein levels were normal while hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C virus antibody were negative. The lesions of these two cases enlarged significantly during the follow-up and they were therefore surgically resected. Pathological features of both resected specimens, such as hepatocellular hyperplasia, bile duct proliferation and vascular abnormalities, were compatible with focal nodular hyperplasia. It has been suggested that tumor growth may be augmented by sex hormone stimulation and therefore estrogen and progesterone receptor expressions in the resected tumors were determined by immunocytochemistry. Interestingly, stainings for both receptors were negative. In case 2, the tumor was enlarging although oral contraceptive use had been discontinued for the past 7 years. These results suggest that there is no direct relationship of focal nodular hyperplasia with oral contraceptives. The role of sex hormones in focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver merits further study.

[Locoregional adoptive immunotherapy using LAK cells and IL-2 against liver metastases from digestive tract cancer].

We investigated the clinical efficacy of locoregional and systemic adoptive immunotherapy (AIT) with or without interleukin-2 (IL-2) against solid metastatic lesions from digestive tract cancer. Eighteen patients, who were treated with more than 10(10) lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, were enrolled in this study. Seven of the 18 patients received hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of LAK cells with or without IL-2 against metastatic liver tumors (locoregional therapy group). The remaining 11 patients received systemic transfer of LAK cells with IL-2 against metastatic lesions located in organs other than the liver (systemic therapy group). Three of 7 locoregional therapy group patients showed clinically significant tumor regressions that were evaluated as being equivalent to partial response (PR). Two of the 11 systemic therapy group patients showed significant tumor regressions, but this response rate was much lower than that of the locoregional therapy group. The 2 effective cases in the systemic therapy group were esophageal cancer patients. Locoregional AIT with or without IL-2 against liver metastases from digestive tract cancer could be an effective therapeutic modality in some patients who are refractory to conventional therapies (e.g., chemotherapy and radiotherapy). It is necessary to find a new way to augment the anti-tumor effect of this therapy in combination with prior or concomitant chemotherapy.

A long-term survival case of multiple hepatocellular carcinoma with metachronous lymph node metastasis.

A long-term survival case of multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with metachronous metastasis to a lymph node is reported. The patient, a 66-year-old woman, had two primary HCC nodules, one each in the left and right hepatic lobes, which were resected. She developed a lymph node lesion and a secondary HCC 45 and 62 months after the first operation, respectively. She has been well for the 7 years since the first operation despite undergoing hepatic resection for HCC twice as well as lymph node resection. Clonal analysis, based on the methylation pattern of the X chromosome-linked androgen receptor gene, suggested that the two primary tumors were multicentric and that the lymph node lesion had arisen by metastasis from the primary tumor in the right hepatic lobe.

Laparotomy versus interventional radiological procedures for the implantation of arterial infusion devices.

Although there have been numerous reports on implantable infusion devices for chemotherapy of patients with malignancy, we occasionally face problems with this therapy due to trouble with implantation. We performed a retrospective review of 81 implantations in 77 patients, who were treated with intraarterial chemotherapy via implanted devices from 1985 to 1993. They were divided into two groups according to the procedures: the operative procedure group (group A, n = 41) and the interventional radiological procedure group (group B, n = 36). Both groups were then analyzed regarding the respective complications. We experienced 25 complications: (a) 9 obstructions of the catheter, (b) 4 infections, (c) 4 dislocations of the catheter, (d) 3 hematomas, (e) 3 breakdowns of the device, (f) 1 pneumothorax, and (g) 1 hepatic artery occlusion. The results of a comparison of the complication rate between groups A and B were (a) 14.0%:8%, (b) 4%:0%, (c) 0%:10%, (d) 4%:2%, (e) 7%:0%, (f) 0%:2%, and (g) 2%:0%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed for (b) and (c) (P < 0.05). Infection occurred mainly in the cirrhotic cases of group A, but not in group B. In addition, one case fell into fatal sepsis. Based on the above findings, the interventional radiological procedure is thus considered to be the appropriate method for the prevention of infection in the case of a compromised host.

[Clonal analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma].

We investigated the cell clonality of 12 cases of female solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that were associated with hepatitis virus infection. The clonal origin of HCC could be assessed by the method based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of X-chromosome-linked androgen receptor gene (AR) and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) gene, taking advantage of random inactivation of one of two X-chromosomes by methylation in females. We extracted DNA samples from both fresh and paraffin-embedded specimens of the same lesion as a source of DNA sample for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Consequently, it was possible to use methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes and PCR to study differential methylation patterns among alleles of these genes for both DNA samples. The RFLPs of AR gene and PGK gene were found in eight of 12 cases and five of 12 cases, respectively. There were two cases which had no RFLPs in either AR gene or PGK gene. All cases of HCC which had RFLP in either AR gene or PGK gene demonstrated monoclonal origin of the tumor regardless of their histologic patterns.

Characterization of the properties of a human homologue of Escherichia coli RecQ from xeroderma pigmentosum group C and from HeLa cells.

We showed that DNA-dependent ATPase Q1 (DNA helicase Q1) from xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XP-C) cells elutes from FPLC Mono Q column at higher concentrations of KCl than that from other human cells (35). We purified DNA helicase Q1 from XP-C and HeLa cells. The purified fractions of both cells contained a major polypeptide with a molecular mass of 73 kDa and had the same enzymatic properties, including salt- and temperature-sensitivity. Characterization using an anti-DNA helicase Q1 antibody indicated that this enzyme localized in the nuclei and was not modified by incorporating phosphate groups through phosphorylation and ADP-ribosylation. No interactions of DNA helicase Q1 with other proteins were indicated by immunoprecipitation of the helicase from crude extracts. No difference was observed in XP-C cells in intracellular localization of DNA helicase Q1, phosphorylation, and the interaction with other proteins as compared to HeLa cells.

Gene cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression of a cephalosporin-C deacetylase from Bacillus subtilis.

The gene encoding a cephalosporin-C deacetylase (CAH) from Bacillus subtilis SHS 0133 was cloned and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence contained an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide consisting of 318 amino acids, the molecular weight of which was in good agreement with the value obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The deduced amino acid sequence contained the common sequence Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly found in many esterases, lipases, and serine proteases. This indicates that CAH is a serine enzyme. A possible promoter sequence which is very similar to the consensus sequences of -35 and -10 regions recognized by B. subtilis RNA polymerase utilizing sigma factor H was found in the 5'-flanking region of the CAH structural gene. Two repeated A+T-rich blocks consisting of 24 bp were also found in the upstream region of the initiation codon. We constructed a series of expression plasmids by inserting the CAH gene into Escherichia coli ATG vectors. The degree of CAH gene expression depended on promoters and vector plasmids, which have different replication origins. The expressed CAH protein was an active form in the soluble fraction obtained after cell disruption. The highest expression level was accomplished with an expression plasmid, pCAH400, which has the trp promoter and the replication origin derived from pAT153. In the fermentation using a 30-liter jar fermentor, the transformant E. coli JM103(pCAH400) produced 440 U of CAH per ml of culture during a 24-h incubation. This value corresponded to 2.1 g of CAH protein in 1 liter of culture broth.

Effects of acute salt loading on vasopressin mRNA level in the rat brain.

To assess the mutual relationship between acute osmotic stimulation and arginine vasopressin (AVP) gene expression, 2 ml/100 g body weight of 0.9 M NaCl was intraperitoneally administered into conscious rats. They were decapitated to collect blood and brain samples before and 15 min and 1, 3, 6, and 9 h after the injection. The total RNA from the hypothalamus or whole brain tissue was used to determine AVP mRNA by Northern blot analyses with a complementary DNA probe. Plasma AVP and osmolality increased rapidly and transiently 15 min and 1 and 3 h after the injection. AVP mRNA was detected in the hypothalamus but not in the brain tissue without hypothalamus under basal and stimulated conditions. Brain AVP mRNA increased 2.2-fold at 3 h and 1.7-fold at 6 h (P < 0.05-0.01). These increases appeared to be due to the appearance of AVP mRNA with the shorter migration in the gel. These results suggest that an acute osmotic challenge increases AVP mRNA with size heterogeneity within the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract.

Purification and cloning of a nucleotide excision repair complex involving the xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein and a human homologue of yeast RAD23.

Complementation group C of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) represents one of the most common forms of this cancer-prone DNA repair syndrome. The primary defect is located in the subpathway of the nucleotide excision repair system, dealing with the removal of lesions from the non-transcribing sequences ('genome-overall' repair). Here we report the purification to homogeneity and subsequent cDNA cloning of a repair complex by in vitro complementation of the XP-C defect in a cell-free repair system containing UV-damaged SV40 minichromosomes. The complex has a high affinity for ssDNA and consists of two tightly associated proteins of 125 and 58 kDa. The 125 kDa subunit is an N-terminally extended version of previously reported XPCC gene product which is thought to represent the human homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae repair gene RAD4. The 58 kDa species turned out to be a human homologue of yeast RAD23. Unexpectedly, a second human counterpart of RAD23 was identified. All RAD23 derivatives share a ubiquitin-like N-terminus. The nature of the XP-C defect implies that the complex exerts a unique function in the genome-overall repair pathway which is important for prevention of skin cancer.

Purification of two DNA-dependent adenosinetriphosphatases having DNA helicase activity from HeLa cells and comparison of the properties of the two enzymes.

DNA-dependent ATPase activities in crude extracts prepared from HeLa cells were separated into five peaks designated Q1 to Q5 by FPLC Mono Q column chromatography. In our previous study, we observed that crude extracts prepared from xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XP-C) cells contained no DNA-dependent ATPase activity at the peak position of Q1 and exhibited a broader peak with higher activity than normal Q2 at the peak position of Q2 [Yanagisawa, J., Seki, M., Ui, M., & Enomoto, T. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 3585-3588]. We have purified two DNA-dependent ATPases Q1 and Q2 from HeLa cells and characterized their properties in order to obtain a means to discriminate ATPase Q1 from Q2 in XP-C cells. The apparent molecular masses of Q1 and Q2 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 73 and 100 kDa, respectively. The two enzymes required a divalent cation for activity. DNA-dependent ATPase Q1 hydrolyzed ATP and dATP and Q2 hydrolyzed ATP preferentially among the nucleotides tested. Both enzymes preferred single-stranded DNA as a cofactor. The DNA-dependent ATPase activity of Q2 was inhibited by 90% in the presence of 200 mM NaCl, whereas that of Q1 was not affected by NaCl at concentrations up to 200 mM. Both enzymes had DNA helicase activity, that of Q1 being more resistant to NaCl than that of Q2. The DNA helicase activity of Q2 was about 150-fold higher than that of Q1, when compared with units of ATPase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pantoea punctata sp. nov., Pantoea citrea sp. nov., and Pantoea terrea sp. nov. isolated from fruit and soil samples.

A total of 37 bacterial strains with the general characteristics of the family Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from fruit and soil samples in Japan as producers of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid from D-glucose. These organisms were phenotypically most closely related to the genus Pantoea (F. Gavini, J. Mergaert, A. Beji, C. Mielearek, D. Izard, K. Kersters, and J. De Ley, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 39:337-345, 1989) and were divided into three phenotypic groups. We selected nine representative strains from the three groups for an examination of DNA relatedness, as determined by the S1 nuclease method at 60 degrees C. Strain SHS 2003T (T = type strain) exhibited 30 to 41 and 28 to 33% DNA relatedness to the strains belonging to the strain SHS 2006T group (strains SHS 2004, SHS 2005, SHS 2006T, and SHS 2007) and to the strains belonging to the strain SHS 2008T group (strains SHS 2008T, SHS 2009, SHS 2010, and SHS 2011), respectively. Strain SHS 2006T exhibited 38 to 46% DNA relatedness to the strains belonging to the strain SHS 2008T group. The levels of DNA relatedness within the strain SHS 2006T group and within the strain SHS 2008T group were more than 85 and 71%, respectively. Strain SHS 2003T, SHS 2006T, and SHS 2008T DNAs exhibited less than 18% binding to Pantoea dispersa ATCC 14589T and Pantoea agglomerans ATCC 27155T DNAs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Two cases of rectal carcinoma that developed as a late complication of pelvic radiotherapy].

Two cases of a pelvic evisceration have been performed, due to an irradiation-induced rectal cancer. Described are the cases of two women who had been treated with irradiation for a cervical cancer following a hysterectomy, one patient being 65 years old and the other 67. After a latent period that lasted for 12 and 24 years, respectively, each had developed a rectal cancer. In each case, case excised specimen showed diffuse fibrosis and a hyaline change, reflecting the effect of radiation on the tumoral tissue. Cases of an irradiation-induced rectal cancer are uncommon, and the symptoms of enterocolitis caused by irradiation are similar to those of a colorectal cancer. The authors therefore suggest careful and long-term follow-up of patients that have received pelvic radiation.

Effects of heparin dosage and sperm capacitation time on in vitro fertilization and cleavage of bovine oocytes matured in vitro.

The present study was conducted to clarify the effect of heparin dosage and sperm capacitation time on in vitro fertilization (Experiment 1) and cleavage (Experiment 2) rates of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. For in vitro fertilization, seven dosages of heparin (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 microg/ml) and nine incubation periods (0, 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min) in a capacitation medium were examined, using 6,634 oocytes. The mean proportions of fertilized oocytes in 25, 50 and 100 microg/ml of heparin were significantly (P<0.05) higher (53 to 59%) than in the other dosages (3 to 44%). Incubation with heparin for longer than 60 min lowered the frequencies of fertilization (20 to 36%) compared with the shorter incubation periods (38 to 49%). Higher proportions of fertilized oocytes were obtained by 5, 15, 30 or 45 min of incubation (42 to 49%) than by the other time periods (20 to 38%). Cleavage rates were found by using 2,098 oocytes in a factorial study (4x4x15: dosages -25, 50, 100 and 200 mug/ml; incubation periods -0, 15, 30 and 60 min; and replicates). The incubation periods and replicates resulted in highly significant differences (P<0.001) in development rates to eight-cell stage, but the four dosages of heparin showed no significant differences. The present results indicate that heparin dosage and sperm capacitation time are important factors influencing in vitro fertilization and cleavage rates. Optimal heparin dosages for the capacitation of bull spermatozoa ranged from 25 to 100 microg/ml; optimal incubation periods ranged from 5 to 60 min.

[Prolonged action preparation of cefaclor].

This study was conducted to develop a prolonged action preparation of cefaclor (CCL) which can offer, with the twice-a-day administration, as much effectiveness as its conventional preparation (Kefral capsule) with the 3 times-a-day administration. Absorption site of CCL in gastrointestinal tract, preparation form (enteric coated granules) which slowly release CCL, dissolution property of the form, and mixed ratio of the form and rapid release form (nonenteric coated granules) were studied and complex granules consisting of 40% of nonenteric coated granules and 60% of enteric coated granules which dissolve at pH 6 were chosen as a prolonged action preparation of CCL. Bactericidal activity of the prolonged action preparation (S6472) was confirmed to be the same as that of the conventional preparation by comparative viable cell count study in which concentrations of CCL simulated to plasma concentrations following the administration of S6472 at the dosage of 375 mg b.i.d. and the conventional preparation at the dosage of 250 mg t.i.d. were used. From the above, S6472 is considered to be a prolonged action preparation of CCL which serve our purpose. Since S6472 can be given with the twice-a-day administration, its daytime administration is not necessary. Therefore, S6472 is considered to be much useful preparation for the patients.